Santa Monica Pier Banners 2004 Steve Galloway, Michael C. McMillen Artists Galloway and McMillen found their inspiration in the facts, folklore, myths, and legends of the Pier’s early history. Each banner depicts an image representing historical events that may - or may not - have actually occurred. So, while viewers will be able to discover salutes to the old La Monica Ballroom, home of dancing on the Pier; the Blue Streak Roller Coaster; and the Mysterious Thing, we’re left to puzzle over the historical truth behind Li’l Ricky, the surfing possum; the ghostly lost diver, the giant singing clam; and Milo, the rooster who swam to Catalina.

Steve Galloway and Michael C. McMillen were selected as the artists for this project though a competitive process in 2002. A panel of art experts and community advisors declared their proposal the best based upon its originality, the high level of artistic quality and the appropriateness of the banners to the Pier. The impressive artist credentials and exhibition histories of both Galloway and McMillen mark the project as highly significant. The Santa Monica Pier Banners are a project of the Santa Monica Arts Commission in partnership with the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation, funded through the City of Santa Monica’s Percent for Art Program. For additional information on the Santa Monica Pier, please call 458.8900 or visit the Pier website at www.santamonicapier.org.